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Do I need to
take courses to learn Beadmaking? The
short answer? No.
There
are many self-taught Beadmakers who are very accomplished and
have gone on to become very well-known and successful!
We are fortunate nowadays to have the advantage of many excellent
Books, Videos, and DVD's on the Market, thanks to the Beadmaking
Pioneers! Freely available
as well are online resources such as public Forums and private
websites of those willing to share. Please
check our Links page for some of the better Forums to visit.
We can assist you in sourcing any Books on the subject of Beadmaking
as well, there are several that are specifically written with
the beginner in mind.
While the choice is yours to make - we do recommend a basic
course to Beginners so that you learn appropriate safety measures
and proper Torch operation, as well as learning quickly how
to make the beads and minimizing the waste of your materials.
There are courses available in every major city in Australia
and we will be happy to help you find Classes in your area if
available.
Are
your Torch Kits suitable for Novices?
Definitely! The Torch Kits are
packaged with the Beginner in mind. We were Beginner's once
ourselves and we know how overwhelming it can be trying to find
out exactly what you need. Our Kits contain the essentials and
practical items needed to make Beads. We don't "pad"
our Kits with unneccesary items, however we do offer many extra
Supplies that are nice to have and you may wish to use as your
skills advance.
Does
the Torch come with operating instructions?
It does come with basic instructions from the
manufacturer. These instructions are not "How to make Glass
Beads" but we are happy to assist you in obtaining that information
as well. Many information resources are free, there are a number
of online information resources we will be happy to share with
you. We can assist you in sourcing any Books on the subject
of Beadmaking as well. There are several that are specifically
written with the beginner in mind.
Are
you solely online, or is there a shop I can visit in Brisbane?
We do not have a Shopfront. This is why we are able to keep
costs of the Kits down - lower overhead. You may ring for a
convenient time to pick up your order if you wish to do so.
Ozziebuddy does host a Beadmaker's Group Meet and all interested
persons are invited to join us. It is free to attend, and much
valuable information can be obtained from the others in the
Group - many who have been making and selling Beads Professionally
for some time. We are a friendly lot and will freely share resources
and information as well as Tips and Tricks for making better
Beads. This is valuable exposure for those who are thinking
about getting involved or are new to the Art of Beadmaking who
wish to learn and minimize common beginner mistakes which can
be very costly! Please inquire for details if you wish to attend
or see our Groups page for more information.
What
is the Kit Buyer's Discount?
When
you purchase a Torch or Torch Kit from Ozziebuddy, you automatically
qualify for a Kit Buyer's Discount. This entitles you to discounts
off select merchandise from our website for 6 months from the
date of purchasing your Torch/Kit. This allows new Beadmakers
to pick up more discounted Tools and/or Supplies at a later
date as their budget allows.
Will
your Gas Fittings work for me in the UK?
We have access to the correct fittings to make our Torch Kits
work for any country in the World! The pictures illustrating
the Torches and Kits are Australian standard, your fittings
may vary according to your location.
How
long does it take to make a Bead?
Beads can take as little as 3 minutes or as long as an hour
or more depending on their complexity and your proficiency.
An accomplished Beadmaker may spend even more time on a Bead
depending on the amount of inclusions, details, layers, elements
that must be made in advance, etc.
Do
I have to have a Shed, or Studio to work in?
Again the short answer is No, but you DO need a SAFE place to
work in. You're working with Fire here! You need to make your
space safe from hot flying Glass fragments, open flame and heat
from the Torch, have good ventilation and lighting, as well
as a comfortable supportive chair or stool. You need a fire
extinguisher and cool water nearby, and you need to observe
appropriate safety protocols.
Is
a Kiln really necessary?
Must Beads be annealed?
A Kiln is neccesary to properly anneal your Beads. Kiln-annealed
Beads are standard if you wish to sell them for going market
prices. Assuming you wish your beads to have a long and (whole)
healthy life, they will need to be properly annealed. For the
amount of money involved in Beadmaking, it only makes sense
to do it right!
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